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Technology Stocks : Novell (NOVL) dirt cheap, good buy? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ToySoldier who wrote (34474)	10/27/2000 3:59:05 AM
From: RIT	Respond to of 42771

Novell has gone into its shell!!! In the UK they have done the exact opposite. For the first time in 10 years of using Novell products at a number of companies, they called me for a meeting. They were so keen to turn up, they arrived a day early! As for Novell doing anything after the meeting, well I have had feedback from Novell, and they orgizised meetings between myself and one of their partners. If this is Novell's new direct, its a good start. Roger Roger

To: ToySoldier who wrote (34474)	10/28/2000 7:37:02 AM
From: zwolff	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42771

Hey Toy, What is your take on: Saturday October 28 1:29 AM ET Microsoft Damage May Be Large By GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer SEATTLE (AP) - If valuable computer secrets stolen from Microsoft Corp. are disseminated, they could hurt the company more than it is letting on, some analysts say. During the past several weeks, hackers broke into Microsoft's system and got a look at - but did not corrupt - a valuable software blueprint, or ``source code,'' for a computer program under development, the company said Friday. The FBI (news - web sites) is investigating; the company will not identify the program under development. ``For Microsoft, that's a significant loss of intellectual property and a significant loss of a competitive edge,'' said Simon Perry, a computer security expert with Computer Associates of Islandia, N.Y. ``What we would expect is that code now either will appear on the Internet or it will be sold off to the highest bidder, probably overseas.'' Microsoft's source codes are the most coveted in the multibillion-dollar industry. With access to them, competitors could write programs and challenge Microsoft's products. Hackers also could use the codes to identify software flaws, making break-ins and virus-writing easier. Microsoft, while acknowledging the seriousness of the attack, downplayed its long-term significance. Company officials said the program won't be finished for years and will go through many changes before then. Microsoft's chief executive, Steve Ballmer, said during a visit to Stockholm, Sweden, ``You bet this is an issue of great importance.'' But asked by a reporter how damaging the break-in was, he said, ``Not very. But we want to make sure it doesn't get that way, and that's why we called in the FBI.'' Company spokesman Mark Murray said the investigation revealed no evidence the intruders gained access to existing products, such as Windows 2000 (news - web sites), Windows ME (news - web sites) or Office. Microsoft learned of the break-in Wednesday, and planned to handle the investigation itself. On Thursday, however, it called the FBI. A source familiar with the case said hackers had access to the code for up to five weeks. No motive for the break-in has been disclosed, but hackers in the past have tried to extort money from companies by threatening to publish stolen information on the Internet. Investors did not seem too concerned. Microsoft stock rose $3.25, or 5 percent, on Friday to $67.69 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The break-in adds to the woes of a company now appealing a federal judge's ruling ordering that it be broken up for engaging in predatory business practices. Microsoft found that passwords used to transfer source codes were being sent from the company's computer network in suburban Redmond to an e-mail account in St. Petersburg, Russia. ``You can operate there as a hacker with a fair level of confidence you won't get caught,'' Perry said. ``The technology doesn't exist to track them down. Also, the laws don't exist to prosecute them.'' The hackers appeared to have accessed Microsoft's system by e-mailing software, called QAZ Trojan, to the company's network and then opening a so-called back door through the infected computer. A ``trojan'' is a hacker's term for a device similar to the Trojan horse of Greek mythology. It looks like a normal attachment in an e-mail, but contains a hidden code that can take control of the recipient's computer. Bruce Schneier, chief technical officer of Counterpane Internet Security Inc. of San Jose, Calif., said the break-in highlights companies' lack of network traffic monitoring. ``If you're not watching your logs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this is the kind of thing that happens,'' he said. ``Microsoft got whacked and it made the news. But this could have happened to anyone.'' - On the Net:

To: ToySoldier who wrote (34474)	10/29/2000 10:21:51 PM
From: Frederick Smart	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 42771

Toy...... >>it seems that most of Novell has gone into its shell. The marketing people and even the people i helped on the new ASP strategy have generally not called back or are seem eager for business. I cant understand it. It ssems like moral inside Novell is real low all around and they just dont seem to have the spunk. I was just talking to a Director at our local City Government IT shop. He stated that they are headed toward a full organization-wide Active Directory rollout!!! I asked him if he knows the extent of this strategy for his NetWare departments, NT4 shops, Windows/95 workstations, other non-Windows2000 servers, and network devices that could not take advantage of Active Directory. He kinda understood the limitations but was assured by MSFT that all will be OK. I also said "let me guess...MSFT has offered any of the software free and even is providing free top level Microsoft support". He said, "hey yes how did you guess?". I said "because Microsoft is desperately looking for a complete AD rollout that they can brag about since most customers realize the limitations of AD, and if you fail, well they offered you free software". PS: this organization has NDS structures inside it. I just dont think there are enough Novell sales feet on the street and those that are trying to help Novell just dont get enough support or rewards for helping Novell. Now that I am a non-IBMer vendor, I know what it feels like to be a soo small that Novell doesnt even care. I am working on the small vendor thing as we speak. Ohh Well {sigh} Toy>> ONE DIALOGUE: Have you lost your mind??? Why comment about something you don't know anything directly about?? You don't work inside Novell, so why even share these wild speculations as to them "shutting down??" Folks like you who work in these "small shops" must have nothing else better to think about then now Novell is falling behind on the "spunk" meter. ==================== ANOTHER DIALOGUE: Sounds like you are seeing, feeling and sensing some of the same things I and others are. I just hope Novell doesn't lock themselves away from this "reality" too long for if they do the collapse will happen and it will be more sudden than any of us think. If some inside "new" leadership gets the guts to challenge the closed status quo management they must not waste any more time. NOW is the time to move against Nelson et. al. I don't believe Nelson has any REAL power. It's all smoke, fire, mirrors. Complete and total bluff separated by a very thin line of truth that would easily unmask his lack of leadership, energy and vision. Peace. GO!!